opioid
Heroin dosage 2026: safe ranges by route and weight.
Heroin has 3 documented routes of administration. The most common is insufflated. Always start at the lowest dose range and wait the full onset window before redosing.
Dose ranges by route.
Insufflated
- Threshold
- 5 mg
- Light
- 5–15 mg
- Common
- 15–30 mg
- Strong
- 30–50 mg
- Heavy
- 50 mg
Smoked
- Threshold
- 5 mg
- Light
- 5–10 mg
- Common
- 10–30 mg
- Strong
- 30–50 mg
- Heavy
- 50 mg
Intravenous
- Threshold
- 2 mg
- Light
- 2–7 mg
- Common
- 7–15 mg
- Strong
- 15–30 mg
- Heavy
- 30 mg
| Route | Threshold | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insufflated | 5 mg | 5–15 mg | 15–30 mg | 30–50 mg | 50 mg |
| Smoked | 5 mg | 5–10 mg | 10–30 mg | 30–50 mg | 50 mg |
| Intravenous | 2 mg | 2–7 mg | 7–15 mg | 15–30 mg | 30 mg |
Start at the bottom. Body chemistry, tolerance, and combinations all matter.
Duration timeline.
Insufflated
total ~ 610 min- Onset
- 3–10 min
- Peak
- 60–120 min
- Offset
- 2–4h
- After
- 2–4h
Smoked
total ~ 513 min- Onset
- 0–3 min
- Peak
- 45–90 min
- Offset
- 2–3h
- After
- 2–4h
Intravenous
total ~ 541 min- Onset
- 0–1 min
- Peak
- 60–120 min
- Offset
- 2–3h
- After
- 2–4h
Bodyweight quick formula
For a 70 kg adult, divide the total mg dose by 70 to get your mg/kg ratio. Most published ranges assume this reference weight. If you weigh significantly less, reduce proportionally; significantly more does not always mean linearly higher doses.
Related pages
FAQ.
- What is a safe Heroin dose?
- A "safe" dose depends on body weight, tolerance, set and setting. Start at the threshold or light range for your chosen route and do not redose until onset is complete.
- How do I calculate Heroin dose by weight?
- For substances where bodyweight matters: divide the mg amount by your weight in kg to get the mg/kg ratio. Most common dose data assumes a 70–80 kg adult.
- What happens if I take too much Heroin?
- Exceeding the "heavy" range significantly increases risk of adverse effects, medical emergency, or overdose. Harm reduction starts with knowing the ranges.
- How long does Heroin last?
- Duration varies by route. The timeline section below shows onset, peak, offset and after-effects for each route.
- Can I mix Heroin with other substances?
- Many combinations are dangerous. Check the interaction checker tool before combining anything. Never combine on a first experience.
- Is Heroin dosage the same for all routes?
- No. Bioavailability differs significantly by route — intranasal and IV routes typically require lower doses than oral for equivalent effect.
- Should I weigh my Heroin dose?
- Always. A milligram scale (0.001g precision) is essential for most substances. Volumetric dosing with a solvent is the gold standard for sub-10mg doses.